Article by Aurelian Botezatu – published on Friday, July 04, 2025, 07:36 / Updated on Friday, July 4, 2025 07:37
Andrei Rațiu is about to change the championship – writes the Spanish daily AS. AS Roma would have taken concrete steps to transfer.
The Romanian was a basic man last season, in Rayo, and in the Spaniards they declared him the best right defender in La Liga. His very good evolutions have attracted not only Spanish clubs, see Barcelona or Atletico, but also from abroad.
And from AS Roma, Lazio and Bayer Leverkusen, the Spanish daily, I would write newer that the first has taken concrete steps and that they are in the pole position in the race for the Romanian international. “The Italian club has defeated Lazio, who can not make transfers for fiscal reasons, in the derby to transfer to the 27-year-old right-handed defender,” says the quoted publication.
3,067 minutesIn 35 championship matches, Andrei Rațiu checked last season, in Rayo Vallecano's shirt, for which he scored two goals
AS: “Rayo is looking for a replacement for Andrei Rațiu, Villarreal seems to be not accessing the clause”
I would also write that Rațiu became the first target of the Giallosso group, which would be ready to access the clause of 25 million euros in the contract: “A scenario that Rayo considers quite feasible, considering that he is looking for a replacement, such as the lateral defender of Athletic Club, Hugo Rincón, borrowed at Mirandés”.
The amount Rayo will receive in exchange for the Romanian defender will not go entirely in his treasury, given that Villarreal holds 50% of the player's rights. The “yellow submarine”, as it is said, has an option to redeem Rațiu amounting to $ 7 million, “which he probably will not access” – writes AS.
Bayer Leverkusen could now be the great threat
Lazio hopes to take advantage not only about Lazio's tax issues. Barcelona seems exclusively focused on bringing Nico Williams, and Atletico has not been a sign of life for a long time.
A real danger could be (only) Bayer Leverkusen. The Germans sold not only Florian Wirtz to Liverpool, with 140 million euros, but also on the right defender Jeremie Frimpong (45 million). They necessarily need a replacement, but also a lot of money!
